1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER ignition

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Key Release Button (Manual Transaxle)
The ignition key cannot be
removed from the ignition
unless the key release
button is used.
To remove the key, turn the key to the
OW position.
While pressing the key release button in, turn the key to
the LOCK position. Pull the key straight out.
Starting Your Engine
Automatic Transaxle
Move your shift lever to PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N).
Your engine won’t start in any other position -- that’s a
safety feature.
To restart when you’re already moving,
use
NEUTRAL (N) only.
I NOTICE:
Don’t try to shift to PARK (P) if your Chevrolet
is moving. If you do, you could damage the
transaxle. Shift to PARK
(P) only when your
vehicle
is stopped.
Manual Transaxle
The gear selector should be in NEUTRAL (N). Hold the
clutch pedal to the
floor and start the engine. Your
vehicle won’t start if the clutch pedal is not all the way
down
-- that’s a safety feature.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your 2.2 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key
to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
r
I NOTICE:
Holding your key in START for longer than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then
stops), it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
Try pushing your accelerator pedal all the way to the
floor and holding
it there as you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. If the vehicle starts
briefly but then stops again, do the same thing, but
this time keep the pedal down for five or six seconds.
This clears the extra gasoline from the engine.
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle’’ in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Starting Your 2.4 Liter Engine
1. Without pushing the accelerator pedal, turn your
ignition key to START. When the engine starts, let
go of the key. The idle speed will go down as your
engine gets warm.
NOTICE:
I
Holding your key in START for lon&!r than
15 seconds at a time will cause your battery to be
drained much sooner. And the excessive heat can
damage your starter motor.
2. If it doesn’t start right away, and if the weather is
very cold (below
-20” F or -29” C), push the
accelerator pedal about one-quarter of the way down
while you turn the key
to START. Do this until the
engine starts.
As soon as it does, let go of the key.
stops),
it could be flooded with too much gasoline.
3. If your engine still won’t start (or starts but then Try pushing
your accelerator pedal all
the way to the
floor and holding it there as
you hold the key in
START for about three seconds. This clears the extra
gasoline from the engine. If the vehicle starts briefly
but then stops again, do the same thing, but this time
keep the pedal about one-quarter
of the way down
for five
or six seconds.
I
NOTICE:
Your engine is designed to work with the
electronics in your vehicle.
If you add electrical
parts or accessories, you could change the way
the engine operates. Before adding electrical
equipment, check with your dealer.
If you don’t,
your engine might not perform properly.
If you ever have to have your vehicle towed, see
the part of this manual that tells how to do it
without damaging your vehicle. See “Towing
Your Vehicle” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Ensure the shift lever is fully in PARK (P) range before
starting the engine. Your Chevrolet has
a brake-transaxle
shift interlock. You have to fully apply your regular
brakes
before you can shift from PARK (P) when the
ignition key is in the
RUN position. If you cannot shift
out of PARK
(P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push
the
shift lever all the way into PARK (P) and also release
the shift lever button on floor shift console models
as you
maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever
into the gear you wish. (Press the shift lever button before
moving the shift lever.) See “Shifting Out
of PARK (P)”
in the Index.
REVERSE (R): Use this gear to back up.
I NOTICE:
Shifting to REVERSE (R) while your vehicle is
moving forward could damage your transaxle.
Shift to REVERSE (R) only after your vehicle
is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth to get out of snow,
ice or sand without damaging your transaxle, see
“If
You’re Stuck: In Sand, Mud, Ice or Snow” in the Index. NEUTRAL
(N):
In this position, your engine doesn’t
connect with the wheels.
To restart when you’re
already moving, use
NEUTRAL (N) only. Also, use
NEUTRAL (N) when your vehicle is being towed.
Shifting out of PARK
(P) or NEUTRAL (N) while
your engine is “racing” (running at high speed) is
dangerous. Unless your foot is firmly on the
brake pedal, your vehicle could move very
rapidly. You could lose control
and hit people or
objects. Don’t shift out of PARK
(P) or
NEUTRAL
(N) while your engine is racing.
I NOTICE:
Damage to your transaxle caused by shifting out
of
PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) with the engine
racing isn’t covered
by your warranty.
2-20

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Parking Brake
The parking brake lever is located between the
bucket seats.
To set the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down and
pull up on the parking brake lever. If the ignition is on,
the brake system warning light will
come on.
To release the parking brake, hold the brake pedal down.
Pull the parking brake lever up until you can press the
release button. Hold the release button
in as you move
the brake lever all the way down.
NOTICE:
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Into PARK (P)
( * +ovatic Tran;.-!e Yodels Only)
r
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow.
If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position like
this: Hold in the button on the lever, and push the
lever
all the way toward the front of your vehicle.
1. Hold the brake pedal down and set the parking brake.
3. Move the ignition key to LOCK.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key
in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Shifting Out of PARK (P)
(Automatic Transaxle)
Your Chevrolet has a brake-transaxle shift interlock.
You have to fully
apply your regular brakes before you
can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition
is in the
RUN position. See “Automatic Transaxle” in the Index.
If you car
)t shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on
the shift lever
-- push the shift lever all the way into
PARK
(P) and also release the shift lever button on floor
shift console models
as you maintain brake application.
Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish. (Press
the shift lever button before moving the shift lever.)
If you ever hold the brake pedal down but still can’t
shift out of PARK (P), try this:
1. Turn the key to OFF.
2. Apply and hold the brake until the end of Step 4.
3. Shift to NEUTRAL (N).
4. Start the vehicle and then shift to the drive gear
you want.
5. Have the vehicle fixed as soon as you can.
Parking Your Vehicle (Manual
Transaxle Models Only)
Before you get out of your vehicle, put your manual
transaxle in REVERSE (R) and firmly apply the
parking brake.
If you are parking on a hill, or if your vehicle is equipped
to tow a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Windows
I On a vehicle with manual windows, use the window
crank to open and close each window.
Power Windows (If Equipped)
The driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
The driver’s window can be opened to the desired
amount by pushing the rear
of the switch to the first
detent. For the auto-down feature, push the rear
of the
switch all the way down. The window will continue
going down until fully opened.
To stop the window while it is lowering, briefly press
the switch forward, then release.
To raise the window, press and hold the switch forward.
With power windows, switches on the center console
control each of the windows when the ignition is on. In
addition, in four-door models, each rear passenger door
has a control switch for its own window.
Lockout Switch
In a sedan model, you also have a lockout switch.
Press it to disable the rear passenger’s power window
switches.
This will prevent rear passengers from
opening and closing the windows. The driver can still
control
all windows with the switch in the lock position.
Press the lockout button again
to enable the passenger’s
window switches.
Horn
You can sound the horn by pressing the center of your
steering wheel near the horn symbols.
2-32